The Pistons’ offense was able to make up for their defensive mistakes in wins over San Antonio and Milwaukee last week. But Detroit’s offense couldn’t make up for poor defense Monday in a lopsided loss to the lowly New Orleans Hornets.

Detroit scored 119 against the Spurs and 105 against the Bucks and won despite giving up 109 to San Antonio and 100 to Milwaukee.

Monday the Pistons scored just 86 and lost by 19 to the Hornets. Detroit shot just 35.8 percent from the field in the loss.

Advertisement

“After scoring some of the numbers we did, maybe we just thought it was going to come to us and it doesn’t work like that,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. “Tough lesson.”

Detroit has given up an average of 104.7 points in its last three games, which is more than seven points higher than its average of 97.1 on the season.

“We’re a defense first team,” Greg Monroe said. “Us scoring should never affect how we play. It’s not that we think because we scored a 100 the last couple games, we just have to stop playing defense. That’s not our identity, that’s not how we’ve been playing for the whole season.”

The Pistons have given up an average of 102.7 in their last 11 games and have gone 4-7 during that span.

Detroit has looked to push the ball as of late and it appeared to be working during the two-game win streak, but Monday was a step back.

“We gauge our progress game-to-game,” Kyle Singler said. “I think we played some good basketball throughout (last) week, but (Monday) is definitely a step back. We didn’t really play well, guys feel that.”

The loss of Andre Drummond may have finally caught up to the Pistons, who won their first two games after learning Drummond had a stress fracture in his back.

“I think he’s definitely a big part of what we do,” Monroe said. “Him being out definitely puts us at a disadvantage. The energy he brings at both ends, it was a big help for us. When he’s out, I think it definitely affects us a whole lot. I’m pretty sure he would have affected (Monday’s) game in some way.”

Monroe will look to continue his hot streak and the Pistons hope to head into the All-Star break with a win when they host the Wizards Wednesday in the final game before the break.

“Every game for us is important,” Monroe said. “(Monday) was a tough one for us. We don’t overlook any game, we don’t have that luxury. We’re going to come out with full intention and going to try to win a game. That’s plain and simple.”

The Wizards have won four straight and are coming off a 102-90 win over Milwaukee Monday. Washington’s two leading scorers John Wall and rookie Bradley Beal are finally both healthy at the same time.

Wall missed the first 33 games of the season, while Beal was playing his second game back Monday after missing five with a sprained wrist.

Dave Pemberton covers the Pistons for The Oakland Press. Email him at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.